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*Illegal Charcoal Production Threatens Zimbabwe's Forests* *Follow Pindula on WhatsApp for daily new updates* https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va84dngJP21B2nWeyM3v?iz The production, marketing and usage of charcoal are crimes unless the charcoal is made from exotic trees, an official has said. Zimbabwe’s forests are under threat as charcoal has become a substitute for electricity and liquefied gas for low-income households. ---------- Latest itel A06 on Pindula: 32GB storage, 4GB RAM $69 USD WhatsApp: +263715068543 Calls: 0772464000 ---------- Charcoal is produced from wood and its increased usage results in increased deforestation and soil degradation. Indigenous trees such as musharu or mopani, msasa, mutondo, muunze and mupfuti fetch a higher price on the market compared to exotic trees. Forestry Commission Manicaland provincial manager, Phillip Tom said the charcoal trade has a devastating impact on the environment. He said: > It is illegal, just like cutting down trees for firewood. Even importation of charcoal into Zimbabwe is not allowed as it triggers local illicit production, marketing and consumption of the product. > Issuance of special import licenses has been suspended and we have not been issuing any such permits. > A lot still needs to be done to combat the production, marketing and consumption of charcoal, given its devastating impact on the environment. > We conduct raids but some of the poachers devise new strategies to evade arrest. > The charcoal is being supplied from Gudo area bordering Chiredzi where there are a lot of Mopani trees. > The poachers are now operating during the night to evade arrest. A 50kg bag of charcoal is sold for US$12, a bucket of charcoal fetches US$4 or its equivalent, while a plastic bag full costs US$1. According to the Forestry Commission of Zimbabwe, the country is losing about 60 million trees — about 33 000 hectares of forests to illegal deforestation each year. More: The Manica Post _If you found this article useful_ *Please support Pindula by forwarding to friends and groups*
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